CHALCATZINGO.- After a 60-year odyssey that took it across borders and through the hands of collectors, a monumental Olmec sculpture, known as Monument 9 or the Gateway to the Underworld, has finally returned to its rightful home in Chalcatzingo, Morelos, Mexico. The return of this ancient treasure marks not only a victory in the fight against cultural patrimony theft but also a joyous reunion with a piece of the community's ancestral past.
The journey back to Chalcatzingo began in May 2023, culminating a 20-year effort by the Mexican government, through the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), to locate and repatriate the monument. Diplomatic collaboration between the United States and Mexico proved crucial in securing its return. This repatriation is a testament to the ongoing commitment to reclaiming Mexico's rich cultural heritage.
Before its triumphant return to Chalcatzingo, the Gateway to the Underworld spent 21 months at the Regional Museum of the Peoples of Morelos, Palace of Cortés in Cuernavaca. There, specialists from the INAH meticulously restored and prepared the monument for its final journey. Moving a one-ton, 1.8-meter-high, and 1.5-meter-wide relief was no small feat. Juan Salvador Miravete Barrios, a museographer with 20 years of experience, described the operation as one of the biggest challenges of his career. With the help of a specialized team and a police escort, the monument made its way across 75 kilometers of winding roads, back to the land where it was first carved 2,500 years ago.
The people of Jantetelco welcomed the ancient artifact with open arms. The return was celebrated with a vibrant procession, complete with traditional dances, copal incense, and joyous cheers. It was as if a long-lost relative had finally come home. The main street was adorned with colorful paper decorations and flowers, reflecting the community's deep respect for its heritage.
The monument's new home is the Chalcatzingo Museum, a space recently renovated through the combined efforts of the INAH and the municipality. The museum will provide visitors with an introduction to the fascinating history of Chalcatzingo, a city built on the slopes of three sacred hills. The museum's collection, including the newly returned Monument 9, showcases the advanced social, political, commercial, and artistic development of this ancient civilization.
Mario Córdova Tello, director of the Chalcatzingo Archaeological Project, expressed his joy at the monument's return, calling it the culmination of a 20-year dream shared with the late archaeologist David Grove. He emphasized the importance of the monument's carvings and their connection to the cosmogonic beliefs of the ancient Maya.
The unveiling of Monument 9 is scheduled for February 18, 2025, and the museum will offer free admission to the public. This monumental return symbolizes more than just the repatriation of a piece of art; it represents the reclaiming of a cultural legacy and a renewed connection to the ancestors who first shaped the landscape of Chalcatzingo.
